Triangular-shaped mounting device

ABSTRACT

A triangular-shaped mounting device may include a top plate. The top plate may include a triangular-shaped center portion, a first return formed on a first side of the triangular-shaped center portion, a second return formed on a second side of the triangular-shaped center portion, and a third return formed on a third side of the triangular-shaped center portion.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/139,953, filed Jan. 21, 2021. This application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to rooftop anchoring devices. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for surface coupling devices incorporating a format to distribute a load across a surface and a number of sealing devices to seal any apertures defined in the surface created by fasteners used to fasten the rooftop anchoring devices to the surface.

BACKGROUND

People working on the tops and sides of buildings, as well as other high structures, risk falling and suffering injury as a result. In modern society, building construction and building maintenance are areas that continue to expose workers to the risk of dangerous falls. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, work related falls are among the most common sources of work related severe injuries and death. (See, e.g., https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/fallprotection/). The Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that slips, trips and falls resulted in approximately 229,000 injuries per year (2011-2013) resulting in approximately 700 workplace deaths per year. Death from falls is second only to vehicle related deaths and account for roughly 16% of work related deaths. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 1-14 provide standards to reduce the number and severity of workplace falls. Fall protection equipment must, perform under a wide variety of conditions while not hindering the ability of the workers to safely perform their jobs.

In addition, workers who are tasked with working on a roof of a building or even suspending from the roof of a building require certified tie-off points to connect their rigging. These points are regulated by OSHA in the 1910.27 standard and other regulations and are required to support a minimum 5,000 lbs. load. These tie-off points, which may be referred to as “anchorage points” in the industry, must be designed, built, and installed under the direction of a qualified person or a professional engineer. These anchorage points are often used interchangeably for suspension rigging and as a connection for fall protection equipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description is set forth below with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items. The systems depicted in the accompanying figures are not to scale and components within the figures may be depicted not to scale with each other.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top isometric view of a mounting device, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom isometric view of the mounting device of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the mounting device of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom plan view of the mounting device of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a first side view of the top plate of the mounting device of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second side view of the top plate of the mounting device of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 7 illustrates a third side view of the top plate of the mounting device of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth side view of the top plate of the mounting device of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 9 illustrates a top isometric view of a base plate of the mounting device, according to an example of the principles described herein.

FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom isometric view of a base plate of the mounting device, according to an example of the principles described herein.

DESCRIPTION

Fall protection devices are devices that assist in protecting users from falling off structures such as buildings. These fall protection devices seek to prevent a fall from structures by securing the user to anchors coupled to the structure such as the roof. These devices are often required and regulated by OSHA that function under a number of laws and regulations such as Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Further, industries standards may be provided by private, non-profit organizations such as the ANSI. For example, guidance and testing parameters for fall protection and fall arrest devices are provided by the ANSI Z-359 Fall Protection Code.

OSHA is concerned with the safety, health, and welfare of people engaged in work or employment. The goals of occupational health and safety programs include fostering a safe and healthy work environment. OSHA may also protect co-workers, family members, employers, customers, and many others who might be affected by the workplace environment. Thus, OSHA seeks to protect any individual who may use devices such as a stanchion that provides a secure tie down while accessing a rooftop area, for example. Due to the distances that may separate the roof of a structure from a ground floor or other elevation below the roof, an individual accessing the roof area may be in significant danger as to loss of life or limb if a fall should occur. Thus, a fall protection system that secures an individual while accessing the roof of the structure significantly reduces or eliminates any death or injuries that may otherwise be experienced during such activities.

Examples described herein provide a system including a mounting device onto which a user may secure themselves from a fall. The mounting device includes a triangular shape or form that provides additional stability across a wide area of a rooftop. Further, the triangular-shaped mounting device may be coupled to a surface such as a roof surface in a plurality of points along the surface of the roof resulting in the mounting device being coupled more securely to the roof surface. Still further, the triangular-shaped mounting device may be coupled to any portion of a roof structure irrespective of the location of trusses or joists into which the mounting device may be coupled. Thus, the mounting device may be coupled to either underlying anchoring structures such as, for example, the trusses or joists, or may be coupled to the deck of a surface (e.g., the roof surface) without anchoring into the underlying anchoring structures.

In one example, the triangular-shaped mounting device may be coupled to the roof surface directly. In one example, the triangular-shaped mounting device may be coupled to the roof surface indirectly via a number of bases or base plates. The bases may include sealable or self-sealing membranes that cover fasteners and holes formed in the surface of the roof. The fasteners used to directly or indirectly couple the mounting device to the roof surface may be coupled to any portion of the roof surface irrespective of whether the fasteners couple to underlying structures within the roof such as any truss or joist. Thus, in this manner, the triangular-shaped mounting device may be coupled at any position along the roof surface while still providing a necessary load rating that may secure a user to the roof. In one example, the load rating of the mounting device may be approximately 5,000 pounds.

Examples described herein provide a triangular-shaped mounting device. The triangular-shaped mounting device may include a top plate. The top plate may include a triangular-shaped center portion, a first return formed on a first side of the triangular-shaped center portion, a second return formed on a second side of the triangular-shaped center portion, and a third return formed on a third side of the triangular-shaped center portion.

The mounting device may further include a number of return voids defined in at least one of the first return, the second return, and the third return. The mounting device may further include a number of apertures (e.g., top plate apertures) defined in the triangular-shaped center portion.

The mounting device may further include at least one base plate coupled to at least one vertex of the triangular-shaped center portion. The at least one base plate may include three base plates where a first base plate is coupled to a first vertex, a second based plate is coupled to a second vertex, a third based plate is coupled to a third vertex. The at least one base plate includes a substrate to couple the mounting device to a structure via a number of structure fasteners, a coupling device extending at a 90 degree angle relative to a surface of the substrate, a first seal coupled to a top surface of the substrate, the first seal including an aperture through which the coupling device extends, and a second seal coupled to a bottom surface of the substrate. The first seal seals the substrate between the first seal and the second seal and the second seal seals the number of structure fasteners and the surface of the structure. The first seal and the second seal are made of a polymer, and the first seal and the second seal are sealed from an environment.

The mounting device may further include a fastener extending through a first aperture defined in the top plate. A tether may be coupled to the fastener. Further, in one example, at least a portion of the top plate is concave.

Examples described herein also provide an apparatus may include a top plate. The top plate may include a triangular-shaped center portion, a first return formed on a first side of the triangular-shaped center portion, a second return formed on a second side of the triangular-shaped center portion, and a third return formed on a third side of the triangular-shaped center portion.

The apparatus may further include a number of return voids defined in at least one of the first return, the second return, and the third return. The apparatus may further include a number of apertures defined in the triangular-shaped center portion.

The apparatus may further include at least one base plate coupled to at least one vertex of the triangular-shaped center portion. The at least one base plate may include three base plates including a first base plate is coupled to a first vertex, a second based plate is coupled to a second vertex, a third based plate is coupled to a third vertex. The at least one base plate may include a substrate to couple the apparatus to a structure via a number of structure fasteners, a coupling device extending at a 90 degree angle relative to a surface of the substrate, a first seal coupled to a top surface of the substrate, the first seal including an aperture through which the coupling device extends, and a second seal coupled to a bottom surface of the substrate. The first seal seals the substrate between the first seal and the second seal, and the second seal seals the number of structure fasteners and the surface of the structure. The first seal and the second seal are made of a polymer, and the first seal and the second seal are sealed from an environment.

The apparatus may further include a fastener extending through a first aperture defined in the top plate. A tether may be coupled to the bolt. In one example, at least a portion of the top plate may be concave.

In the description herein, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present systems and methods. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present apparatus, systems, and methods may be practiced without these specific details. Reference in the specification to “an example” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that example is included as described, but may not be included in other examples.

EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Turning now to the figures, FIGS. 1 through 8 depict and describe a mounting device 100. Throughout the description, the terms “mounting device” and “triangular-shaped mounting device” are used synonymously to refer to element 100.

The mounting device 100 includes a top plate 102. The top plate 102 serves as a rigid body to which a user may be tethered. In one example, the mounting device 100 further includes at least one base plate 120-1, 120-2, 120-3 (collectively referred to as “base plate(s) 120”). The triangular-shaped mounting device 100 includes three vertices 114-1, 114-2, 114-3 (collectively referred to as “vertex 114” or “vertices 114”) and the base plates 102 may be coupled to a respective one of the vertices 114. In one example, the triangular-shaped mounting device 100 may have an approximately equilateral triangular shape. The triangular shape of the mounting device 100 allows for forces applied to one vertex, for example, to be distributed down each side and allow for compression and tension to occur. In this manner, the triangular shape of the mounting device 100 provides a rigid structure to which significant forces may be applied without flexing or bending. Further, because each of the vertices of the triangular-shaped mounting device 100 are spread across a relatively large surface of the structure to which the mounting device 100 is coupled, a load applied to the mounting device is spread across the surface of the structure and provides stability to the mounting device 100.

The ends of the vertices 114 may include an open portion. By providing the open portion at the vertices 114, a user such as an installer of the mounting device 100 may access portions of the mounting device 100 where the top plate 102 connects to the base plates 120. As depicted in FIGS. 1 through 8, three base plates are coupled to the mounting device 100 including a first base plate 120-1 coupled to a first vertex 114, a second based plate 120-2 coupled to a second vertex 114-2, and a third based plate 120-3 coupled to a third vertex 114-3.

In one example, the top plate 102 may be coupled to a roof surface or other surface directly. In one example, the top plate 102 may be coupled to the roof surface indirectly via a number of the base plates 120. The base plates 120 may include a number of seals to seal portions of the base plates 120 from the environment in which the mounting device 100 is deployed. The environment may include any type of weather including precipitation, wind, contaminating dirt, solar heat, etc.

An anchor 124 may be coupled to the top plate 102 at, for example, a center portion 104 of the top plate 102 such as in a direct center of the center portion 104. A top plate aperture 202 may be defined in the top plate 102 to allow for a tether fastener 126 to extend through the top plate 102 and a mounting portion of the anchor 124 to secure the anchor 124 to the top plate 102. The anchor 124 may be any device capable of providing an anchor to which ropes, cables and other fall protection equipment may be coupled. In one example, the anchor 124 may include a MEGA swivel anchor developed and distributed by ClimbTech. However, any device including a loop capable of providing an anchor to which ropes, cables and other fall protection equipment may be coupled may be utilized. The tether fastener 126 may include, for example, a rivet as depicted in FIGS. 1 through 4. However, in one example, the tether fastener 126 may include bolts and/or nuts, washers, screws, nails, rivets, lynch pins, cotter pins, locking pins, clevis pins, other fasteners, and combinations thereof. Further, in one example, the tether fastener 126 may be coupled to the top plate 102 via, for example, welding, gluing, and other methods of coupling.

The top plate 102 may be made of any rigid material that may withstand loads placed thereon if and when an individual tethered to the mounting device 100 falls from the structure or otherwise places a load on the mounting device 100. In one example, the top plate 102 may be made of a metal, metal alloys, a coated metal, coated metal alloys, composite materials, and other rigid, load-bearing materials.

In FIG. 1, the top plate 102 is depicted as being coupled to the base plates 120. FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom isometric view of the triangular-shaped mounting device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein. Further, FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the mounting device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 4 illustrates a bottom plan view of the mounting device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 5 illustrates a first side view of the top plate 102 of the mounting device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 6 illustrates a second side view of the top plate 102 of the mounting device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 7 illustrates a third side view of the top plate 102 of the mounting device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 8 illustrates a fourth side view of the top plate 102 of the mounting device 100 of FIG. 1, according to an example of the principles described herein.

The top plate 102 may include a number of top plate apertures 106 defined therein. The top plate apertures 106 may serve a number of purposes including, for example, reducing an amount of material used to manufacture the mounting device 100. Further, the top plate apertures 106 may serve to allow for precipitation to drain from the surface of the center portion 104 of the top plate 102. In one example, the center portion 104 of the top plate 102 may be slightly concave around each of the top plate apertures 106 to allow for the precipitation to drain from the surface of the center portion 104 of the top plate 102. The top plate apertures 106 may have any shape, and, on one example, may include a triangular shape as depicted in the figures.

The top plate 102 may further include a number of end returns 108-1, 108-2, 108-3 (collectively referred to as “end return(s) 108”). In one example, the end returns 108 may be monolithically formed with the center portion 104 of the top plate 102 and formed at the 90° angle with respect to the center portion 104 of the top plate 102 through bending. In another example, the end returns 108 may be welded to or otherwise coupled to the center portion 104 of the top plate 102. The end returns 108 strengthen the mounting device 100, eliminate the cutting hazard of the raw edge, enhance the appearance of the mounting device 100 and further assist to allow for precipitation to drain from the surface of the center portion 104 of the top plate 102. In one example, the end returns 108 may be dimensioned to fit between the vertices 114. In one example, the end returns 108 may be dimensioned to allow for the open portion of the vertices 114 to be defined in the top plate 102. Stated another way, the first end return 108-1 may extend from the top plate 102 between the first vertex 114-1 and the second vertex 114-2, the second end return 108-2 may extend from the top plate 102 between the second vertex 114-2 and the third vertex 114-3, and the third end return 108-3 may extend from the top plate 102 between the third vertex 114-3 and the first vertex 114-1.

In one example, a number of return voids 110-1, 110-2, 110-3 (collectively referred to as “return void(s) 110”). The return voids 110 may be defined in a portion of the top plate 102 where the center portion 104 and the end returns 108 meet. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 1 through 8, the return voids 110 may be defined at approximately a horizontal center of the a respective end return 108 and at the bottom of the end return 108 such that the return voids 110 are also defined in an edge of the center portion 104 of the top plate 102. In this manner, the return voids 110, like the top plate apertures 106, may serve to allow for precipitation to drain from the surface of the center portion 104 of the top plate 102.

In one example, the top plate 102 including the center portion 104, and/or the end returns 108 may be coated to reduce or eliminate corrosion. In one example, the top plate 102 including the center portion 104 and/or the end returns 108 may be coated with neoprene (e.g., polychloroprene).

The anchor 124, and/or the base plates 120 may be coupled to the top plate 102 via any means including, for example, through the use of a number of fastening devices or systems, welding, gluing, other fastening means, and combinations thereof. In the examples of FIGS. 1 through 8, a number of base apertures 112-1, 112-2, 112-3 (collectively referred to as “base aperture(s) 112”) may be defined within, for example, the vertices 114 of the top plate 102. A number of fasteners 118-1, 118-2, 118-3 (collectively referred to as “base fastener(s) 118”) may be coupled to and mechanically engaged with a corresponding coupling device 116-1, 116-2, 116-3 (collectively referred to as “coupling device(s) 116”) inserted through the base apertures 112 to couple the top plate 102 to the base plates 120. As depicted in FIGS. 1 through 8, the fasteners used to couple the top plate 102 to the base plates 120 may include, for example, bolts and/or nuts, washers, and combinations thereof. In one example, the fasteners may include screws, nails, rivets, lynch pins, cotter pins, locking pins, clevis pins, other fasteners, and combinations thereof. Although the coupling devices 116 of the base plates 120 depicted in FIGS. 1 through 8 are threaded bolts, the coupling devices 116 may include any coupling device that mechanically corresponds to the base fasteners 118.

FIGS. 1 through 8 depict the top plate 102 interfacing with the base plates 120 which will now be described in connection with FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 illustrates a top isometric view of a base plate 120 of the mounting device 100, according to an example of the principles described herein. FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom isometric view of a base plate 120 of the mounting device 100, according to an example of the principles described herein. Although in one example the mounting device 100 may be implemented without the inclusion of the base plate(s) 120, in one example, a number of base plates 120 may be included in order to ensure that the mounting device 100 and any fasteners used to couple the mounting device 100 to a surface of a structure do not come into contact with water such as through precipitation and become subject to oxidation, corrosion, etc.

The at least one base plate 120 includes a substrate 906 to couple the mounting device 100 to a structure via a number of structure fasteners (not shown). A coupling device 116 extends at a 90 degree angle relative to a surface of the substrate 906, a housing 904 acting as a first seal may be coupled to a top surface of the substrate. The housing 904 includes an aperture through which the coupling device 116 extends. The base plate 120 may also include a cap 902 acting as a second seal may be coupled to a bottom surface of the substrate. The housing 904 seals the seals the number of structure fasteners and the surface of the structure 906 and the cap 902 seals the coupling device 116.

The substrate 906 may be positioned below or under a number of layers of material such as, for example, a cap 902 and a housing 904. The substrate 906 may include a number of substrate fastener apertures 1002 defined therein. Any number of substrate fastener apertures 1002 may be defined in the substrate 906, a few of which are identified in FIG. 10. Further, the substrate fastener apertures 1002 may be defined anywhere on the substrate 906. In one example, the substrate fastener apertures 1002 may be located at any number of points along the substrate 906 irrespective of where a substructure under the surface of the structure such as a truss, joist, or similar substructure element is located. In one example, the structure fasteners (not shown) may be passed through the substrate fastener apertures 1002 and into the surface of the structure. The structure fasteners may include screws, lag bolts, nails, or other types of fasteners.

As mentioned above, the substrate 906 may include a coupling device 116 such as a threaded bolt extending at a 90° angle relative to a surface of the substrate 906 as depicted in, for example, FIGS. 1 through 10. The coupling device 116 may enter the base apertures 112 defined in the vertices 114 of the top plate 102. The coupling device 116, may include, for example, bolts and/or nuts, screws, nails, rivets, lynch pins, cotter pins, locking pins, clevis pins, other fasteners, and combinations thereof to secure the top plate 102 to the base plates 120 via the coupling device 116.

A housing 904 may be coupled to a top surface of the substrate 906. The housing 904 may include an aperture through which the coupling device 116 extends. The bottom of the housing 904 may be coupled to the top of the substrate 906 using, for example, an adhesive, a sealant, a waterproof sealant, or similar bonding agent to bond the bottom of the housing 904 to the top of the substrate 906. A cap 902 may be coupled to a top surface of the housing 904 using, for example, the adhesive, sealant, waterproof sealant, or similar bonding agent in a similar manner. Thus, the substrate 906 may be sealed by the housing 904 and/or the cap 902. The outer perimeter of the housing 904 that extends beyond the width of the substrate 906 may be sealed to the surface of the structure to which the base plate 120 is coupled. The cap 902 may seal the substrate 906 and/or the housing 904. Further, the cap 902 may seal the coupling device 116 to ensure that precipitation does not permeate around the coupling device 116 to the substrate 906. However, before sealing the substrate 906 below the housing 904 and the cap 902, the structure fasteners may be passed through the substrate fastener apertures 1002 and into the surface of the structure.

The housing 904 may then be sealed to the surface of the structure using the adhesive, sealant, waterproof sealant, or similar bonding agent and the cap 902 may be sealed to the top surface of the housing 904. In this manner, the cap 902 and housing 904 seal the number of structure fasteners and the surface of the structure. This prevents water from precipitation from entering below the base plate 120 and corroding the structure fasteners or entering holes formed through the impingement of the structure fasteners into the surface of the structure. In one example, the housing 904 and the cap 902 may be made of a polymer such as a plastic material or a rubber material. Further, the housing 904 and the cap 902 may be sealed from the environment through the use of a material that is waterproof and impervious to water. In one example, a number of drainage channels 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4, 122-5, 122-6 (collectively referred to as “drainage channel(s) 122”) may be defined in the cap 902. The drainage channels 122 may allow for precipitation to drain from the top of the cap 902 down the side and edge of the housing 904, and away from the base plate 120 and the mounting device 100.

CONCLUSION

The examples described herein provide a device, system, and method for securing an individual to a roof surface. The mounting device may be coupled to a roof surface anywhere with or without being coupled to understructures such as trusses, joists, etc. while still allowing for a secure device capable of being loaded at a standardized load such as, for example, 5,000 pounds.

While the present systems and methods are described with respect to the specific examples, it is to be understood that the scope of the present systems and methods are not limited to these specific examples. Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the present systems and methods are not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of the present systems and methods.

Although the application describes examples having specific structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are merely illustrative some examples that fall within the scope of the claims of the application. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mounting device comprising: a top plate including: a triangular-shaped center portion; a first return formed on a first side of the triangular-shaped center portion; a second return formed on a second side of the triangular-shaped center portion; and a third return formed on a third side of the triangular-shaped center portion.
 2. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising a number of return voids defined in at least one of the first return, the second return, and the third return.
 3. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising a number of apertures defined in the triangular-shaped center portion.
 4. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising at least one base plate coupled to at least one vertex of the triangular-shaped center portion.
 5. The mounting device of claim 4, wherein: the at least one base plate includes three base plates, and a first base plate is coupled to a first vertex, a second based plate is coupled to a second vertex, a third based plate is coupled to a third vertex.
 6. The mounting device of claim 4, wherein the at least one base plate includes: a substrate to couple the mounting device to a structure via a number of structure fasteners; a coupling device extending at a 90 degree angle relative to a surface of the substrate; a first seal coupled to a top surface of the substrate, the first seal including an aperture defined therein through which the coupling device extends; and a second seal coupled to a bottom surface of the substrate, wherein the first seal seals the substrate between the first seal and the second seal, and wherein the second seal seals the number of structure fasteners and the surface of the structure.
 7. The mounting device of claim 6, wherein: the first seal and the second seal are made of a polymer, and the first seal and the second seal are sealed from an environment.
 8. The mounting device of claim 1, further comprising a fastener extending through a first aperture defined in the top plate.
 9. The mounting device of claim 8, further comprising a tether coupled to the fastener.
 10. The mounting device of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the top plate is concave.
 11. An apparatus comprising: a top plate including: a triangular-shaped center portion; a first return formed on a first side of the triangular-shaped center portion; a second return formed on a second side of the triangular-shaped center portion; and a third return formed on a third side of the triangular-shaped center portion.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a number of return voids defined in at least one of the first return, the second return, and the third return.
 13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a number of apertures defined in the triangular-shaped center portion.
 14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one base plate coupled to at least one vertex of the triangular-shaped center portion.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein: the at least one base plate includes three base plates, and a first base plate is coupled to a first vertex, a second based plate is coupled to a second vertex, a third based plate is coupled to a third vertex.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the at least one base plate includes: a substrate to couple the apparatus to a structure via a number of structure fasteners; a coupling device extending at a 90 degree angle relative to a surface of the substrate; a first seal coupled to a top surface of the substrate, the first seal including an aperture defined therein through which the coupling device extends; and a second seal coupled to a bottom surface of the substrate, wherein the first seal seals the substrate between the first seal and the second seal, and wherein the second seal seals the number of structure fasteners and the surface of the structure.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein: the first seal and the second seal are made of a polymer, and the first seal and the second seal are sealed from an environment.
 18. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a fastener extending through a first aperture defined in the top plate.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising a tether coupled to the fastener.
 20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein at least a portion of the top plate is concave. 